GROUP WORK
You must show your preparation essay at the beginning of each discussion session. This essay must be written out in complete sentences. It must be at least one printed page--longer if hand written. Please make two copies, one for the instructor and one for the person who writes the group report. The group report should be a creative synthesis of the views of the group, including a "minority" report of dissenting views. The group report should be a minimum of two pages.
RULES FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
Everyone has the responsibility to listen carefully and with respect to the others in the group.
Everyone has the responsibility and the right to contribute to the group task.
Everyone has the responsibility and the right to ask for help from the group when needed.
Everyone has the responsibility to help others in the group when asked.
Each person should be persuaded by logic or by evidence. Reach consensus, not majority rule. Minority dissent is completely acceptable.
Group Questions
Written work without a style sheet will be returned to the writer.
1. Feb. 21: Women and Virtue. Each group will do its assigned story and then (a) interpret the women's experiences according to the theories Ivanhoe sets out in his article; and (b) offer your own comments about these women. Ivanhoe, "Women and Virtue"; O'Hara, Position of Women in Ancient China; and Raphals, Sharing the Light are on DR. Ten points for your prep essay and 10 pts. for the group report.
Group #1: Meng Mu--Mencius' Mother, O'Hara, pp. 41-42; Raphals, pp. 23, 33-35, 88, 120, 123-26, 217-18, 226, 255.
Group #2: Ji of Wei, O'Hara, pp. 51-52.
Group #3: Ming Fu, Wife of the Charioteer, O'Hara, pp. 68-69.
Group #4: Queen Man of Deng, O'Hara, pp. 76-78; Raphals, pp. 23 , 40, 57, 88, 100-4, 227, 233.
Group #5: Wife of Jie Yu, O'Hara, pp. 70-71.
Group #6: Ji of Lu, Raphals, pp. 31-33, 92-98.
Group #7: Wife of Bow-Maker Jin, Raphals, pp. 46-47, 126-129.
2. Feb. 24: Human Nature. Choose one of the following options for human nature (a summary of 6a6) and give good reasons why you think it is the right one. What is your opinion of Mencius' example of the child falling into the well?
a. It is neither good nor evil (Gaozi).
b. It is good or evil, depending on who rules (or environment?). Gaozi appears to switch to this position in 6a2.
c. There is intrinsic goodness (Shun) and intrinsic badness (Shun’s father).
d. It is good or more precisely: humans have the potential for goodness (Mencius).
e. It is evil or more precisely: humans tend to evil (Xunzi =Hsün-tzu).
Ten points for your prep notes and 10 pts. for your group report. Note: Be sure to review Ivanhoe, Confucian Moral Self Cultivation, chapters 1-3. You should also look at ST, pp. 196-199. Group report should be at least two pages.
3. April 9 & 11: Group Work on the Daodejing. Look for your group assignment below. Group #5 no longer exists and its members have been reassigned. Check the group list for the update. In your groups you will discuss your interpretations of the texts (taking into account at least four translations) and your will prepare both a class presentation and a group report. You must include information and response to the commentaries of LaFargue, Chan, Chen, and others. Group report should be at least two pages. Note: LaFargue and other acceptable translations are on private reserve in the philosophy seminar room just inside the door on the right hand bottom shelf.
April 9 Presentations:
Group 1: LaFrague, chapter one, plus DDJ 80
Group 2: LaFrague, chapter two, plus DDJ 57
Group 3: LaFargue, chapter three, plus DDJ 19
April 11 Presentations:
Group 4: LaFargue, chapter four, plus DDJ 3
Group 6: LaFargue, chapter five, plus DDJ 65
Group 7: LaFargue, chapter six, plus DDJ 37